Community order for drunk assault on Harrogate police officer

He was pulled down but struck the officer on their right side and put his arm around their neck.

Published:14:54Updated:15:17Tuesday 12 September 2017

Magistrates have told a 25-year old man who pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting a police officer while drunk to 'think about his lifestyle and start behaving'.

Chester Harry Withrow from Harrogate was handed a 12 month community order, with 15 days of rehabilitation and 80 hours of unpaid work on Thursday, September 7 at Harrogate Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to assaulting with intent to resist arrest and criminal damage as he ran from police at approximately midnight, August, 23.

The officer had followed Mr Withrow after observing him running along Knaresborough Road. He had left a nearby property to buy more alcohol after drinking with friends he had not seen for some time. Mr Withrow is said to not have known it was the police and would damage the wing-mirror of a Lexmoto 125 motorcycle with his elbow as he went, eventually attempting to climb a fence on Prospect Road.

He was pulled down but struck the officer on their right side and put his arm around their neck. The officer was able to take him to the ground and use CS spray while calling for assistance with their emergency button, he continued to struggle until other officers arrived.

The court heard how the struck officer had been left in pain and feeling like they were about to vomit.

Defending him, Peter Wilson said: "He admits he had been drinking with his friends that he had not seen for some time, they had been drinking shots of vodka and he couldn't remember what had happened.

"He accepts that his behavior was unacceptable and he apologises to the court, the officer and the owner of the motorcycle."

He added: "This was a serious matter and this is the first opportunity he has had to enter a plea."

Magistrates also ordered him to pay a total of £470 for the incident, £200 to the owner of the motorcycle, £100 to the officer and surcharge of £85 by the court, adding a few words of advice before dismissing him.